The story of the rape of Dinah that we read in chapter 34, is one of these stories that troubles us, mainly because we can’t decide which side we dislike the most! I think it is not only my womanly point of view that leads me to the conclusion that this a story about men’s interests and men’s pride, where the female character (and victim), may be important as a trigger, but not as a person. That is why Dinah is probably the only innocent character in this nasty story.

After a long and stressful journey from his father in law’s house to the land of his own father, Yaakov has finally settled down in Shechem. Dinah, his only daughter, as one would expect from a teenage girl who doesn’t have any female peers in her big family, is going out to look for new female friends. As I see it, although the biblical perspective might be that Dinah’s wish to interact with her native peers is wrong, we do not find any hint in the text that Dinah had wicked or immoral motives in what she was doing.

What about the male characters then?

Shechem is a tempted young man who has difficulty in controlling his urges. He forced Dinah to lay with him, then fell in love with her and asked his father to get her for him as a wife. By the way, according to biblical law this is exactly what should be done in this case: the man who rapes a virgin must marry her (Devarim 22:28-29). We will see that this point is relevant to our understanding of the story as well.

Yaakov, hears about his daughter’s rape, but strangely decides remain silent and passive until almost the end of the story, he lets his sons deals with the case. Why? Is it because he lost control, and as the general view suggests, he was not at all responsible for the consequences? Or, is it possible that he deliberately let them act, with his tacit support, but rebuked them in the end because he realised that it caused him serious political and security problems (vs.30)?

Yaakov’s sons (under the leadership of Shimon and Levy), driven by the damage to their family name, and by feelings of revenge, find an original tactic. They convince Shechem and Hamor to circumcise all the males of their city (Again, I can’t understand how the Shechemites could agree to this condition Was Shechem’s desire so strong? Were the economic opportunities from this intermarriage so promising?). Whilst they are in pain from their circumcision, Shimon and Levy attack the city, kill them all and steal their property. As in every good story, greed, lust & revenge are the main motives, but no one really wins in the end. Shimon and Levy manage to “rescue” Dinah - But is it for her benefit? We hear about Dinah only once more in the bible, in the list of those who enter Egypt. (Bereshit 46:15). We hear nothing, though, about marriage or family - which is clear because as an violated woman she could not marry anyone but her rapist - remember the law from Devarim?

Recent Articles by Lilach Tchlenov

• Lilach Tchlenov - May 22nd, 2006
• Shabbat Shuva: Making a Difference - October 7th, 2005
• Vayyelekh: Believe in the immediate change of the situation - October 7th, 2005
• Qedoshim: Justice under the law - May 6th, 2005
• Vayyishlah: Pride and Innocence - December 5th, 2000

Categories: Bereshit / Genesis, Vayyishlah
Tags: Bo, human rights, palestinians, rest, settlers